Cong swipe at Azad: Achha khasa azad the, why did u turn ghulam

An attack and a counterattack is underway following the launch of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's memoir.

The memoir was released in the presence of several politicians including Congress leader, Anand Sharma, the NCP's Supriya Sole, DMK's Kanimozhi and AAP's Sanjay Singh. Post the book launch an attack and counterattack took place between the Congress and Azad, similar to when he had left the party. In interviews ahead of the book launch, Azad criticised Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership.

While Azad criticised the Congress party and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Congress referred to the fact that he has been allowed to stay in his government bungalow in Delhi even after his retirement from parliament. "Achhe khase Azad the. Don't know what was the compulsion to become a ghulam," the Congress' Supriya Shrine said.

Congress leader Pawan Khera sought to know if Azad had even spoken about the Adani issue. "When he left the party, he said he became free, but after listening to his comments in the past two days, it is clear he has become a ghulam.

Congress MP K C Venugopal said that there has been a clear-cut deal with the BJP. "If you want something from BJP, their first conviction is to abuse Rahul Gandhi," Venugopal said.

Azad on Rahul Gandhi:

Ghulam Nabi Azad said that Rahul Gandhi is the main reason why he is not in the Congress. He is the reason for the exit of many young and old from the party, Azad said. "Once you are in Congress, you are spineless. You have to get operated," Azad also said.

On asked about the number of leaders who accompanied Rahul Gandhi to file an appeal in Surat in connection with the defamation case, Azad said, " I don't mind if people go to Surat with Rahul Gandhi. But you cannot force the leaders to come. But today, a whip is issues, which should not be done forcing everyone to accompany,' the veteran politician also said.

"I am 2,000 per cent more Congressi than those who run politics on Twitter. But the party does not want people like me. It wants people who are fast on Twitter and can claim that the party will get 500 seats after the Bhart Jodo Yatra," Azad further added.

His government bungalow:

On being asked as to why he is being allowed to stay in the government bungalow despite his retirement from parliament, Azad said that it was owing to the threat perception.

"I was attacked by militants 26 times in Punjab and 16 times in Jammu and Kashmir, when I was chief minister," he said. Azad also added that he has been paying the water, power and other bills including his own security from his pension.